Briseyda Montes
"Through the pandemic, I have found my voice and my purpose, and it lies in educational and general activism for the betterment of my community."
Briseyda is a first-generation student who comes from a single-parent household, having support from her mother and younger sister. She is the first from her mother's side to go to college, which makes her feel immensely proud of her accomplishments. Her mother immigrated to the United States while escaping the civil war that was going on in her home country, El Salvador. Needing to let go of her own dreams of going to school, Briseyda feels like she was able to honor her by going to college and getting her degree. She is a recent hire as a recruitment coordinator for the College of Education at UNLV, where she gets to put her passions into action. For her, education has always been a top priority. Briseyda’s mother put a big emphasis on her academics and always said, "The one thing I want to leave you with when I die is your education." It is a big honor for Briseyda to be able to help students of color in low-income areas understand that college is not a privilege but an opportunity. She shared that throughout her own college readiness journey, she felt like she did not belong in this bubble. However, as a recruitment coordinator, she gets to be a mentor and supply one-on-one support and empowerment to students who want to go to college, which is an exciting and rewarding experience.
Briseyda opened up about how her mentality has shifted significantly since the pandemic. Formerly a nursing student, she realized throughout her time of isolation and self-discovery that she was in the wrong field. Witnessing the injustices occurring in the world and the large need to speak up and speak out against them, it awakened a community-centered desire within her. Growing up in the culturally rich Latinx community on the East Side, Briseyda has come to embrace this aspect of herself fully and has no desire to leave it behind. She stands for the people and works with them, not against them. For first-generation Latinx individuals who may feel stuck, Briseyda advises that it is important to take a moment and think about what really drives you. There is no need to be afraid of your passions and never let others’ opinions sway your career choices. Always follow your heart and do what feels right to you, consider where you want to be in 10 years and think about personal fulfillment and happiness. “Ultimately, the path to success and happiness is up to you, do not hesitate to take charge and chase after your dreams.”
